Cubans Will Be Allowed To Travel Abroad For The First Time In 50 Years

Raul Castro's government announced Monday that Cubans will be
allowed to travel abroad, as tourists, for the first time in five
decades.

No further details on travel policy were released in the
government's new economic guidelines, but the announcement is
seen as an official decision as part the landmark reforms,
according to
Al Jazeera.

There is currently a de facto travel ban in Cuba where residents
of the island nation have to jump numerous bureaucratic hurdles,
including an invitation from their destination abroad. Cubans
must then pay $150 for an exit request that may be denied, limit
their travel to 30 days, and obtain paperwork that costs about
$400. The average monthly wage in Cuba is $20.

Monday's announcement also confirmed the governments commitment
to allow residents to buy and sell homes, automobiles and pledged
to make bank loans readily available.

In their shift to a free market the new Castro government
suggests Cubans also form co-ops that should serve as medium size
companies. New rules also allow businesses to sell directly to
consumers without government interference.